Container for Vials

ABSTRACT

A container for holding vials for use with automated analysis devices has a bottom and four sidewalls. The sidewalls extend perpendicularly to the bottom. Two of the sidewalls are oppositely disposed from one another and have corrugations formed by crests and troughs. The corrugations are arranged such that the crests on one sidewall align with the troughs on the opposite sidewall. Each trough has three angularly oriented panels and is sized to receive and support a vial through contact with only two of the three panels. A cover is also provided. The cover has a top and four sidewalls which extend perpendicularly to the top. Two of the top&#39;s sidewalls are oppositely disposed from one another and have corrugations which match and align with the corrugations of the container. A skirt is attached to the sidewalls of the cover and forms a perimeter which receives the container.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/378,010, filed Aug. 30, 2010 and which application ishereby incorporated in its entirely herein

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns containers for holding, storing, transporting,organizing and protecting vials which hold samples for analysis.

BACKGROUND

Glass vials are used to convey samples to automated analysis devicessuch as chromatographs and mass spectrometers. To ensure proper andefficient functioning of such automated devices it is desirable to housethe vials in a container having a size that is compatible with theanalysis device and which organizes and presents the vials for easyaccess by the robotic components which handle them. It is also desirablethat the container protect the vials against contamination as well asbreakage, as can occur, for example, when the container is accidentlydropped onto a hard surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a containeraccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a cover for thecontainer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the cover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the container shown in FIG. 1 and thecover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an example container holding a pluralityof vials; and

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of the container shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention concerns a container for holding a plurality of vials in aplurality of adjacent rows. The container comprises a bottom forsupporting the vials and first and second oppositely disposed sidewallsattached to the bottom. The sidewalls extend perpendicularly to thebottom. Each of the sidewalls has corrugations formed of a plurality ofalternating crests and troughs. Each of the troughs comprises a firsttrough panel, a second trough panel and a third trough panel. Each ofthe trough panels extend perpendicularly to the bottom and are orientedangularly with respect to one another. Each of the troughs are sized toreceive and support one of the vials between the first trough panel andthe third trough panel. For each of the troughs, the first and thirdtrough panels are arranged on opposite sides of the second trough panel.The container also includes third and fourth oppositely disposedsidewalls attached to the bottom. The third and fourth sidewalls extendperpendicularly to the bottom and are in spaced relation to one another.The third and fourth sidewalls extend between the first and secondsidewalls.

In one embodiment, the troughs of the first sidewall are aligned withthe crests of the second sidewall. In this configuration each one of therows of vials within the container extend between one of the troughs ofthe first sidewall and one of the crests of the second sidewall.

In one embodiment, for each of the troughs, the first trough panel maybe oriented at an orientation angle from about 100° to about 140° withrespect to the second trough panel; for example, orientation angles suchas about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° arefeasible. Additionally, for each of the troughs, the third trough panelmay be oriented at an orientation angle from about 100° to about 140°with respect to the second trough panel; for example, orientation anglessuch as about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140°are feasible.

In one embodiment, each of the crests comprises a first crest panel, asecond crest panel and a third crest panel extending perpendicularly tothe bottom. The crest panels are oriented angularly with respect to oneanother. For each of the crests, the first and third crest panels arearranged on opposite sides of the second crest panel. For each of thecrests, the first crest panel may be oriented at an orientation anglefrom about 100° to about 140° with respect to the second crest panel;for example, orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°,120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible. Furthermore, for each ofthe crests, the third crest panel may be oriented at an orientationangle from about 100° to about 140° with respect to the second crestpanel; for example, orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°, 110°,115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible.

The container may also comprise a cover. In one embodiment, the covercomprises a top positionable overlying and in spaced relation to thebottom. The cover has first and second oppositely disposed coversidewalls attached to the top and extending perpendicularly thereto.Each of the cover sidewalls has corrugations formed of a plurality ofalternating crests and troughs. Each of the troughs of the covercomprise a first cover trough panel, a second cover trough panel and athird cover trough panel. Each of the cover trough panels extendperpendicularly to the top and are oriented angularly with respect toone another. Each of the troughs of the cover may be the same size asthe troughs of the container. For each of the troughs of the cover, thefirst and third cover trough panels are arranged on opposite sides ofthe second cover trough panel. The troughs of the cover align with thetroughs of the container when the top is positioned in overlying spacedrelation with the bottom. The cover also includes third and fourthoppositely disposed cover sidewalls which are attached to the top andextend perpendicularly thereto. The third and fourth cover sidewalls arein spaced relation to one another and extending between the first andsecond cover sidewalls.

In one embodiment the cover further comprises a skirt attached to thecover sidewalls. The skirt extends perpendicularly to the top and formsa perimeter having an inwardly facing surface sized to receive thecontainer when the top is positioned in overlying spaced relation withthe bottom.

In one embodiment, for each of the troughs of the cover, the first covertrough panel may be oriented at an orientation angle from about 100° toabout 140° with respect to the second cover trough panel; for example,orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°,130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible. Furthermore, for each of the troughsof the cover, the third cover trough panel may be oriented at anorientation angle from about 100° to about 140° with respect to thesecond cover trough panel; for example, orientation angles such as about100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible.

Additionally, each of the crests of the cover may comprise a first covercrest panel, a second cover crest panel and a third cover crest panelextending perpendicularly to the top and oriented angularly with respectto one another. For each of the crests of the cover, the first and thirdcover crest panels are arranged on opposite sides of the second covercrest panel. For each of the crests of the cover, the first cover crestpanel may be oriented at an orientation angle from about 100° to about140° with respect to the second cover crest panel; for example,orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°,130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible. Furthermore, for each of the crests ofthe cover, the third cover crest panel may be oriented at an orientationangle from about 100° to about 140° with respect to the second covercrest panel; for example, orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°,110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible.

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a container 10 for holding aplurality of vials (not shown). Container 10 comprises a bottom 12 forsupporting the vials. First and second sidewalls 14 and 16 are attachedto the bottom and extend generally perpendicular to it. Sidewalls 14 and16 are oppositely disposed from one another and in spaced apartrelation. Third and fourth sidewalls 18 and 20 are also attached to thebottom 12 and extend generally perpendicular to it. The sidewalls 18 and20 are oppositely disposed from one another in spaced apart relation andextend between the sidewalls 14 and 16.

Sidewalls 14 and 16 have corrugations 22 formed of a plurality of crests24 and troughs 26. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the troughs 26 comprisesthree trough panels including a flank or first trough panel 28, a centeror second trough panel 30 and another flank or third trough panel 32.Panels 28, 30 and 32 extend perpendicularly to the bottom 12 and areoriented angularly to each other. Flank panels 28 and 32 are arranged onopposite sides of center panel 30 and, in this example embodiment, areoriented at an orientation angle 34 of about 120° relative to the centerpanel 30. This orientation angle is thought to be advantageous for a 2ml vial. Orientation angles 34 from about 100° to about 140°, forexample, orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°,125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible. Troughs 26 are sized in relationto the vials to be stored in the container 10 such that the flank panels28 and 32 can receive and support a vial without contact between thevial and the center panel 30 as described in detail below.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the crests 24 may also be described ascomprising three crest panels including a flank or first crest panel 36,a center or second crest panel 38 and another flank or third crest panel40. The crest panels extend perpendicularly to the bottom 12 and areoriented angularly with respect to one another. In this exampleembodiment, the crest flank panels 36 and 40 are positioned on oppositesides of the center crest panel 40 and are oriented at an orientationangle 42 of about 120° with respect to it. Orientation angles 42 fromabout 100° to about 140°, for example, orientation angles such as about100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible. Inthe embodiment shown in the figures, the crests and troughs are arrangedsuch that the troughs of sidewall 14 align with the crests of sidewall16, and the troughs of sidewall 16 align with the crests of sidewall 14whereby a row of vials positioned on bottom 12 would extend from atrough 26 in sidewall 14 to a crest 24 in sidewall 16 and vice versa.Other alignment relationships between the crests and troughs are alsofeasible, for example, the crests of sidewall 14 aligning with thecrests of sidewall 16 and the troughs of sidewall 14 aligning with thetroughs of sidewall 16.

The container 10 may also include a cover 44, shown in FIG. 3. Cover 44comprises a top 46 to which are attached two sidewalls 48 and 50.Sidewalls 48 and 50 are oppositely disposed in spaced apart relation andextend generally perpendicularly to the cover. Two additional sidewalls52 and 54 (third and fourth cover sidewalls) are also attached to thetop 44 and extend generally perpendicular to it. The sidewalls 52 and 54are oppositely disposed from one another in spaced apart relation andextend between the sidewalls 48 and 50.

Sidewalls 48 and 50 have corrugations 56 also formed of a plurality ofcrests 58 and troughs 60. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the troughs 60comprises three trough panels including a flank or first trough panel62, a center or second trough panel 64 and another flank or third troughpanel 66. Panels 62, 64 and 66 extend perpendicularly to the top 46 andare oriented angularly to each other. Flank panels 62 and 66 arearranged on opposite sides of center panel 64 and, in this exampleembodiment, are oriented at the same orientation angle 34 of about 120°relative to the center panel 64 as the panels comprising the troughs 26of the container 10. Orientation angles 34 from about 100° to about140°, for example, orientation angles such as about 100°, 105°, 110°,115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140° are feasible. Troughs 60 of thecover 44 are sized and positioned to match and align with the troughs 26of the container 10 when the cover is placed with its top 46 inoverlying relation with bottom 12 as shown in FIG. 5.

As further shown in FIG. 4, the crests 58 of the cover 44 may also bedescribed as comprising three crest panels including a flank or firstcrest panel 68, a center or second crest panel 70 and another flank orthird crest panel 72. The crest panels extend perpendicularly to the top46 and are oriented angularly with respect to one another. In thisexample embodiment the crest flank panels 68 and 72 are positioned onopposite sides of the center crest panel 70 and are oriented at the sameorientation angle 42 of about 120° relative to the center panel 70 asthe panels comprising the crests 24 of the container 10. Orientationangles from about 100° to about 140°, for example, orientation anglessuch as about 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, 125°, 130°, 135°, or 140°are feasible. Crests 58 of the cover 44 are sized and positioned tomatch and align with the crests 24 of the container 10 when the cover isplaced with its top 46 in overlying relation with bottom 12 as shown inFIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, cover 44 may also comprise a skirt 74. Skirt 74 isattached to the cover sidewalls 48, 50, 52 and 54 and extends generallyperpendicular to the top 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the skirt 74 forms aperimeter 76 which has an inwardly facing surface 78. The surface 78 issized to receive the container 10 when top 46 is positioned in overlyingspaced relation to the bottom 12 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates the container embodiment 10 holding a plurality ofvials 80 arranged in adjacent rows 82. Note that for this containerembodiment, each row 82 of vials 80 extends from a trough 26 on onesidewall (14 or 16) to a crest 24 on the opposite sidewall. FIG. 7illustrates in detail the interaction between the vials 80 and thesidewalls 14 and 16 to highlight the features which are expected toprovide protection against breakage of the vials when they are subjectedto impact forces, as for example, when the container is dropped. Asnoted above, each trough 26 is sized to receive a vial 80 such that thevial will only contact the flank panels 28 and 32. This helps reduce thetransmission of impact force to the vial to avoid breakage. However,where a vial 80 is adjacent to a crest 24, the staggered arrangement ofthe vials (due to the alignment of the crests on one sidewall with thetroughs on the opposite sidewall) permits a gap 84 to exist between thecrest's center panel 38 and the adjacent vial 80, thereby isolating thevial from direct impact loads which would otherwise be transmittedthrough the sidewall.

It is advantageous to make the container 10 and cover 44 from polymermaterials such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polyvinylchloride (PVC). PVC is expected to provide additional protection due toits relatively high impact resistance when compared with other polymers.Drop tests performed on a container and cover according to the inventionhave shown an average reduction in broken vials of 40% as compared withthe same tests performed on a container made of the same material buthaving sides without corrugations. It is expected that containersaccording to the invention may be employed to hold glass vials fromabout 1 ml to about 20 ml volume with decreased chance of breakageresulting from dropped containers.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container for holding a plurality of vials in aplurality of adjacent rows, said container comprising: a bottom forsupporting said vials; first and second oppositely disposed sidewallsattached to said bottom and extending perpendicularly thereto, each ofsaid sidewalls having corrugations formed of a plurality of alternatingcrests and troughs, each of said troughs comprising a first troughpanel, a second trough panel and a third trough panel, each of saidtrough panels extending perpendicularly to said bottom and orientedangularly with respect to one another, each of said troughs being sizedto receive and support one of said vials between said first trough paneland said third trough panel, for each of said troughs, said first andthird trough panels are arranged on opposite sides of said second troughpanel; third and fourth oppositely disposed sidewalls attached to saidbottom and extending perpendicularly thereto, said third and fourthsidewalls being in spaced relation to one another and extending betweensaid first and second sidewalls.
 2. The container according to claim 1,wherein said troughs of said first sidewall are aligned with said crestsof said second sidewall, whereby each one of said rows extend betweenone of said troughs of said first sidewall and one of said crests ofsaid second sidewall.
 3. The container according to claim 1, wherein,for each of said troughs, said first and third trough panels areoriented at an orientation angle from about 100° to about 140° withrespect to said second trough panel.
 4. The container according to claim1, wherein, for each of said troughs, said first and third trough panelsare oriented at an orientation angle from about 115° to about 125° withrespect to said second trough panel.
 5. The container according to claim1, wherein, for each of said troughs, said first and third trough panelsare oriented at an orientation angle of about 120° with respect to saidsecond trough panel.
 6. The container according to claim 1, wherein eachof said crests comprises a first crest panel, a second crest panel and athird crest panel extending perpendicularly to said bottom and orientedangularly with respect to one another, for each of said crests, saidfirst and third crest panels are arranged on opposite sides of saidsecond crest panel.
 7. The container according to claim 6, wherein, foreach of said crests, said first and third crest panels are oriented atan orientation angle from about 100° to about 140° with respect to saidsecond crest panel.
 8. The container according to claim 6, wherein, foreach of said crests, said first crest and third panels are oriented atan orientation angle from about 115° to about 125° with respect to saidsecond crest panel.
 9. The container according to claim 6, wherein, foreach of said crests, said first and third crest panels are oriented atan orientation angle of about 120° with respect to said second crestpanel.
 10. The container according to claim 1, further comprising acover, said cover comprising: a top positionable overlying and in spacedrelation to said bottom; first and second oppositely disposed coversidewalls attached to said top and extending perpendicularly thereto,each of said cover sidewalls having corrugations formed of a pluralityof alternating crests and troughs, each of said troughs of said covercomprising a first cover trough panel, a second cover trough panel and athird cover trough panel, each of said cover trough panels extendingperpendicularly to said top and being oriented angularly with respect toone another, each of said troughs of said cover being the same size assaid troughs of said container, for each of said troughs of said cover,said first and third cover trough panels are arranged on opposite sidesof said second cover trough panel, said troughs of said cover aligningwith said troughs of said container when said top is positioned inoverlying spaced relation with said bottom; third and fourth oppositelydisposed cover sidewalls attached to said top and extendingperpendicularly thereto, said third and fourth cover sidewalls being inspaced relation to one another and extending between said first andsecond cover sidewalls.
 11. The container according to claim 10, whereinsaid troughs of said first cover sidewall are aligned with said crestsof said second cover sidewall.
 12. The container according to claim 10,further comprising a skirt attached to said cover sidewalls andextending perpendicularly to said top, said skirt forming a perimeterhaving an inwardly facing surface sized to receive said container whensaid top is positioned in overlying spaced relation with said bottom.13. The container according to claim 10, wherein, for each of saidtroughs of said cover, said first and third cover trough panels areoriented at an orientation angle from about 100° to about 140° withrespect to said second cover trough panel.
 14. The container accordingto claim 10, wherein, for each of said troughs of said cover, said firstand third cover trough panels are oriented at an orientation angle fromabout 115° to about 125° with respect to said second cover trough panel.15. The container according to claim 10, wherein, for each of saidtroughs of said cover, said first and third cover trough panels areoriented at an orientation angle of about 120° with respect to saidsecond cover trough panel.
 16. The container according to claim 10,wherein each of said crests of said cover comprises a first cover crestpanel, a second cover crest panel and a third cover crest panelextending perpendicularly to said top and oriented angularly withrespect to one another, for each of said crests of said cover, saidfirst and third cover crest panels are arranged on opposite sides ofsaid second cover crest panel.
 17. The container according to claim 16,wherein, for each of said crests of said cover, said first and thirdcover crest panels are oriented at an orientation angle from about 100°to about 140° with respect to said second cover crest panel.
 18. Thecontainer according to claim 16, wherein, for each of said crests ofsaid cover, said first and third cover crest panels are oriented at anorientation angle from about 115° to about 125° with respect to saidsecond cover crest panel.
 19. The container according to claim 16,wherein, for each of said crests of said cover, said first and thirdcover crest panels are oriented at an orientation angle of about 120°with respect to said second cover crest panel.
 20. The containeraccording to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of vials supportedon said bottom and arranged in a plurality of rows.